Introduction: Poorly controlled Type 2 diabetes is considered a major public\nhealth problem and associated with adverse outcomes in Jordan. Good\ndiabetes knowledge may facilitate adaptation of healthy behaviors and improve\npatientsâ?? adherence to their diabetes management plans. Purpose:\nTo gain an in-depth understanding of attitudes, perceptions and knowledge\nof patients which underpin their behaviors in Jordan. Methods: 8 focus\ngroups with 38 patients with poorly controlled Type 2 diabetes were\nconducted. The focus group sessions were audio recorded and transcribed.\nThematic analysis was employed to analyze the qualitative data. All transcripts\nwere uploaded into the qualitative data analysis software pack NVivo.\nResults: Patients reported the different ways in which they were diagnosed\nwith Type 2 diabetes. Most of the patients visited the health facility\nafter experiencing signs and symptoms of diabetes, often for some time before\nseeking medical help. Stress and family history were perceived as causes\nof developing diabetes and reasons for poorly controlled diabetes. Fatalistic\nbeliefs were shared when the patients were talking about the causes of\ndiabetes, the reasons for developing diabetes and their inability to control\ntheir blood glucose levels. Patients also associated fatalistic attitudes with\nreligious beliefs and the power of God as illness being in Godâ??s hands. Patientsâ??\nresponses also showed a poor understanding of the basic knowledge\nof diabetes. Conclusions: Effective health education programs need to be\ntailored to meet the individual needs of patients. Patients need to be provided\nwith accurate information about medications, side effects and therapeutic\neffects. An educational program may rectify misconceptions among\npatients.
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